Marist's outside hitter Luke Brannigan came up big for the RedHawks in Saturday's IHSA chamionship match against York. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMarist may have had the easiest path to Hoffman Estates and the IHSA semifinals, but once the RedHawks got there …“They (his players) really earned it,” said Marist coach Jordan Vidovic. “We played by far the two next best teams in the state today. Everybody agrees with that. We really had to earn it. We’re really pumped about that.”After defeating two-time d...
Storm blows 17 Gold off course … again; 16 Gold second, Michio third in Las Vegas
1st Alliance 17 Gold advanced to the semifinals of the 17 Open division at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in Las Vegas, but lost for the second consecutive year to Arizona Storm 17 Thunder. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLas Vegas, Nevada – It might have been 110 degrees in the shade in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, but inside the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, there was a Storm brewing across the net from 1st Alliance 17 Gold.For the second consecutive year. Nebraska-recruit Teraya Sigler and Arizon...
‘Brook throws scare into Glenbard West; Downers North, York, Conant advance
Bolingbrook and coach Molly DeSerf came within inches of dethroning two-time defending IHSA champion Glenbard West, falling 25-27, 25-18, 31-29, in a sectional semifinal Saturday at Bolingbrook. (File photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGlenbard West hasn’t reached the top of the boys’ volleyball food chain without having some character checks. The two-time defending IHSA champions faced the ultimate test Saturday. The Hilltoppers fought off a pair of match points and upended upstart Bolingbrook, 25-27, 25-18, 31-...
Bolingbrook makes history at Joliet West; Mally & Loberg lay down law at Geneva
Geneva surprised Wheaton Warrenville South Thursday to win ithe boys volleyball program's first-ever regional championship. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere's no place like home.The Bolingbrook boys' volleyball team is going there. Knowing a victory would send them back to their home floor for the sectional, the Raiders rallied down the stretch and emerged with the first regional championship in the history of the boys' volleyball program.The Raiders toppled the hosts, 17-25, 25-19, 25-17, in ...
How can you ace that club and/or high school volleyball tryout? Here’s some tips
Athletes must be prepared physically and mentally prior to tryouts at their favorite ckub and their local high school. Tryouts at many clubs throughout Illinois have already begun, while the first day of high school tryouts/practice is less than a month away.Trying out for a club or high school volleyball team can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Whether you’re aiming to make the team for the first time, seeking to secure a spot on the varsity or land a spot on a higher-level club team, preparation is key.Before stepping onto the court ...
SPVB B18 Lenny is electric in Orlando, wins club’s 109th national championship
SPVB B18 Lenny defeated Mamba 18 Black (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 25-20, 23-25, 15-6, to win the 18 Premier division at the AAU Boys Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Orlando, Florida – No. 2 is No. 1. SPVB B18 Lenny defeated Mamba 18 Black (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 25-20, 23-25, 15-6, to win the 18 Premier division at the AAU Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.The national championship was the 109th in the club’s storied...
Can Glenbard West make history again? Marist, six others hope to say, ‘No way’
Glenbard West's 6-6 middle hitter Xzavion Willett hoists the sectional championship trophy following the Hilltoppers' straight-set win Tuesday over Downers Grove North. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTalk about a two-class boys volleyball system surfaced again over the weekend.While we’d much rather the IHSA focus their collective energy on securing a college venue for the boys’ finals or seeding the tournament without regard to geography (see football), the move to a two-class playoff system seems to be gain...
Presenting the 2024 Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys All-State Team
Loyola Academy's Jack Lopez led the Ramblers to their first IHSA quarterfinal appearance in 30 years this season. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys All-State Volleyball Team, our sixth annu...
Brother Rice, St. Laurence advance to regional championship match at Stagg
St. Laurence's Tim Hyland and the Vikings defeated host Stagg on Tuesday and will meet Brother Rice for the regional championship at 4:45 p.m. Thursday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat drives the Vikings’ Busse?Energy.“It’s always the energy,” said St. Laurence’s rightside hitter Alex Antikiewicz. “Sometimes we get into our heads a little bit, but we always bring it back. We find a way to keep it going. No matter what we do, it’s high energy. High energy equals victory.”Antikiewicz provided the energy Tue...
SPVB/Illprepvb Player of the Year Evan Dziadkowiec created unrivalled legacy
Lockport's Evan Dziadkowiec (far left), who graduated in the top 10 percent of his class while playing basketball and volleyball, finished among the top 15 assist leaders of all time in Illinois despite a COVID-shortened 2021 season and missing two games last year due to injury. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBasketball was Evan Dziadkowiec’s first love growing up in Lockport, but a little prodding from mom when he was in sixth grade steered him to a second sport.“I’ve been playing basketball since a ve...